Check valve
A check valve for a fluid handling system is disclosed, the check valve having a main body with a poppet valve disposed therein and a spring urging the poppet valve into abutment with an inner surface of the main body, wherein the check valve facilitates a flow of fluid in one direction and militates against the flow of fluid in an opposite direction.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/694,769 filed on Jun. 28, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a check valve and more particularly to a check valve for a fluid handling system, the check valve having a main body with a poppet valve disposed therein and a spring urging the poppet valve into abutment with an inner surface of the main body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn fluid handling systems such as fluid transfer systems and hydraulic power systems, for example, it is often necessary to control the direction, amount, and type of flow of the fluid through the system. Various pumps, valves, and other fittings are typically used to provide such control.
A check valve is used in a fluid system to control the direction of flow of the fluid in the fluid system. The fluid can be permitted to flow through the valve only in one direction, wherein the check valve militates against flow of the fluid in the opposite direction. Many known check valves are produced from numerous parts resulting in complex devices susceptible to damage, malfunction, and leaks.
It would be desirable to produce a check valve wherein a complexity of the structure of the check valve is minimized and a durability of the check valve is maximized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONHarmonious with the present invention, a check valve wherein a complexity of the structure of the check valve is minimized and a durability of the check valve is maximized, has surprisingly been discovered.
In one embodiment, a check valve comprises a hollow main body having a first aperture formed at a first end thereof and a second aperture formed at a second end thereof, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface surrounding the first aperture; a poppet valve disposed in the main body, the poppet valve having a seating surface formed on an outer surface thereof adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body; and an urging member disposed between the main body and the poppet valve to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
In another embodiment, a check valve comprises a hollow metal main body having a first end and a second end, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface at the first end; a metal poppet valve disposed in the main body, the poppet valve having a seating surface formed on an outer surface thereof adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body; and an urging member disposed between the main body and the poppet valve to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
In another embodiment, a check valve comprises a hollow main body having a first aperture formed at a first end thereof and a second aperture formed at a second end thereof, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface surrounding the first aperture; a poppet valve disposed in the main body, the poppet valve having a seating surface formed on an outer surface thereof adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body and at least one radially outwardly extending tab formed thereon for abutting an inner surface of the main body; and an urging member disposed between the main body and the poppet valve to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:
The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It is understood that materials and uses other than those described can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The poppet valve 14 is substantially dome shaped as clearly shown in
The urging member 16 is disposed between the main body 12 and the poppet valve 14 to urge the convex seating surface 48 of the poppet valve 14 to abut the concave seating surface 24 of the main body 12. The urging member 16 can be any conventional urging member such as a spring, for example. In the embodiment shown, a coil spring is used, although it is understood that other spring types could be used as desired.
In use, the check valve 10 is disposed in a fluid stream such as a conduit (not shown), for example. Normal flow of the fluid stream through the check valve 10 is indicated by the flow arrow shown in
When the flow of fluid is stopped, the urging member 16 urges the poppet valve 14 towards the concave seating surface 24 of the main body 12 to cause the convex seating surface 48 of the poppet valve 14 to abut the concave seating surface 24 of the main body 12. The abutment of the seating surfaces 24, 48 creates a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween and militates against a reverse flow of fluid through the check valve 10. If conditions downstream of the check valve 10 cause the fluid to begin to flow in reverse of the arrow shown in
In the embodiment shown, the aperture 32 is provided in the poppet valve 14 to facilitate a controlled rate of reverse flow through the check valve 10. It is understood that the aperture 32 could be eliminated from the poppet valve 14 if desired to militate against any reverse flow. A poppet valve 114 according to another embodiment of the invention formed without an aperture is shown in
The check valve 10 of the present invention has been found to be especially useful in a power steering system for a vehicle. However, the check valve 10 can be used in other hydraulic circuits and fluid handling systems as desired without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The check valve 10 of the present invention has surprisingly been found to overcome the limitations of the prior art. The check valve 10 eliminates the requirement for a spring seat and other parts, thus reducing the total number of parts required for the check valve 10. This results in a minimization of the cost and complexity of the check valve 10, minimizes assembly time and the potential for leaks, and maximizes the durability of the check valve 10.
From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
Claims
1. A check valve comprising:
- a hollow main body having a first aperture formed at a first end thereof and a second aperture formed at a second end thereof, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface adjacent the first aperture;
- a poppet valve disposed in the main body, the poppet valve having a seating surface formed on a first surface thereof adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body; and
- an urging member disposed in the main body and adapted to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
2. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is a spring.
3. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the poppet valve are formed from metal.
4. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the poppet valve includes an aperture formed therein to facilitate a reverse flow of fluid therethrough.
5. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the poppet valve includes at least one radially outwardly extending tab formed thereon for abutting the inner surface of the main body.
6. The check valve according to claim 5, wherein the radially outwardly extending tab forms at least one opening to facilitate a flow of fluid therethrough.
7. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the seating surface of the main body has a concave shape.
8. The check valve according to claim 7, wherein the seating surface of the poppet valve has a convex shape.
9. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the main body opposite the seating surface has a concave shape to receive a first end of the urging member.
10. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the poppet valve has a concave shape to receive a second end of the urging member.
11. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of the seating surface of the main body is greater than a wall thickness of the rest of the main body.
12. A check valve comprising:
- a hollow main body having a first aperture formed at a first end thereof and a second aperture formed at a second end thereof, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface surrounding the first aperture;
- a poppet valve disposed in the main body, the poppet valve having a seating surface formed on a first surface thereof adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body; and
- an urging member disposed between the main body and the poppet valve to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
13. The check valve according to claim 12, wherein the poppet valve includes an aperture formed therein to facilitate a reverse flow of fluid therethrough.
14. The check valve according to claim 12, wherein the poppet valve includes at least one radially outwardly extending tab formed thereon for abutting the inner surface of the main body.
15. The check valve according to claim 14, wherein the radially outwardly extending tab forms at least one opening to facilitate a flow of fluid therethrough.
16. A check valve comprising:
- a hollow main body having a first aperture formed at a first end thereof and a second aperture formed at a second end thereof, the main body having a seating surface formed on an inner surface surrounding the first aperture;
- a poppet valve disposed in the main body, a first surface of the poppet valve having a seating surface formed thereon adapted to abut the seating surface of the main body, the poppet valve having at least one radially outwardly extending tab formed thereon for abutting the inner surface of the main body; and
- an urging member disposed between the main body and the poppet valve to urge the poppet valve towards the seating surface of the main body.
17. The check valve according to claim 16, wherein the poppet valve includes an aperture formed therein to facilitate a reverse flow of fluid therethrough.
18. The check valve according to claim 16, wherein the poppet valve includes at least one radially outwardly extending tab formed thereon for abutting the inner surface of the main body.
19. The check valve according to claim 16, wherein the seating surface of the main body has a concave shape and the seating surface of the poppet valve has a convex shape.
20. The check valve according to claim 16, wherein an inner surface of the main body opposite the seating surface has a concave shape to receive a first end of the urging member and an inner surface of the poppet valve has a concave shape to receive a second end of the urging member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 27, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 28, 2006
Patent Grant number: 7762276
Inventors: John Miller (Sugarcreek, OH), Michael Hall (Navarre, OH), Charles Brackney (Baltic, OH), Andy Keffler (Massillon, OH)
Application Number: 11/475,317
International Classification: F16K 21/02 (20060101);